Expanding Education Options for All Students

LOUISIANA SCHOOL CHOICE

School Choice Options for Louisiana Students

Expanding educational choice for student and families is one of Louisiana's Education Priorities. Parents are their child’s first and foremost teachers, and are in control of their child’s education. Families should have the freedom to choose the educational setting that best meets their needs. That’s why we are committed to school choice options, from high-quality traditional public schools to public charters, non-public schools, and home-study programs. No child should be limited by their zip code.

School Choice

LA GATOR Scholarship Program Charter Schools BESE-Approved Nonpublic Schools Nonpublic Schools Not Seeking State Approval BESE-Approved Home Study Program Louisiana Scholarship Program School Choice Program for Certain Students with Exceptionalities Tuition Donation Credit Program

School Choice in Louisiana

These are some of the options families in Louisiana have when choosing the best education environment for their child. Click on the links at the top of this page to learn more and access resources for families, educators, and system leaders.

Traditional Public Schools

Public schools serve local communities and are open to all students. They follow state-approved curriculum standards and are funded by taxpayer dollars to ensure a well-rounded, accessible education.

Charter Schools

Charter schools offer innovative approaches to education and greater flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods. They’re publicly funded and open to all students, with accountability to state standards and school performance.

Nonpublic Schools

Approved nonpublic schools offer families a private school option that meets specific state requirements. They may provide unique curricula, faith-based programs, or specialized instruction to fit family preferences.

Nonpublic Schools Not Seeking State Approval

These private schools operate independently without state oversight. They offer more freedom in curriculum design, though they aren’t required to meet state standards or performance reporting.

Home Study

The home study option allows families to develop a personalized education experience at home. It’s a flexible, parent-led program with state registration available to meet certain criteria and access select state resources.

System-wide focus on accelerated learning recovery helps ensure every student is on track to a professional career, college degree, or service

(BATON ROUGE, LA) - The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) awarded its Models of Excellence to the Central Community School System for its focus on accelerated learning recovery. State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley presented the honor to Central Superintendent Dr. Jason Fountain during a ceremony today at Central High School.

All schools in the Central Community Schools dedicate 90 minutes each week to individualized, academically focused time based on student needs. During this additional enrichment time, students work on areas where they most need the additional instruction. Some of the content areas students can rotate through include math, English language arts, ACT prep, or reading.

“Today’s award reflects the year over year academic improvements of Central Community Schools, which is using student data to make informed decisions,” said Dr. Cade Brumley, Louisiana State Superintendent of Education. “I appreciate the educators for working alongside the community to build a strong system for students.”

Central Community Schools educators work together to ensure students get the most from the dedicated enrichment time. Teachers and administrators regularly meet to review data, discuss individual student needs, and mentor colleagues. School and system leaders also utilize quarterly reviews and classroom and principal observations to monitor effectiveness.

"We are thrilled to be named a Models of Excellence recipient by the Louisiana Department of Education," said Dr. Fountain. "This recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to academic growth for all of our students. Our Response to Intervention (RTI) program is integrated into the regular school day, and provides either an academic intervention or an academic enrichment. Embedding RTI into the school day ensures that every student has equal access to its benefits. The success of this program is a direct result of our dedicated teachers and support staff who have embraced its innovative approach. We are immensely grateful for this recognition and will continue to strive to meet the needs of all of our students."

Central Community Schools has been refining this approach over the past five years. Not only is the school system outperforming itself prior to the pandemic, but its School Performance Score has increased every year since 2017-18.

Louisiana Models of Excellence (MOE) was created to acknowledge schools serving as exemplary models for implementing the Department’s Believe to Achieve educational priorities. This initiative celebrates excellence in Louisiana schools, shares stories of success and provides models for others to see, and creates high-impact partnerships among school systems across the state. Central is being awarded the MOE based on the Department’s priority to ensure every student is on track to a professional career, college degree, or service.

The Central Community School System is the seventh recipient of this statewide honor. Past winners include Phillis Wheatley Community (Firstline Schools), East Feliciana Public Schools, Rapides Parish Schools, Mansfield Elementary (DeSoto Parish Schools), Lafourche Parish Schools, and the Calcasieu Parish School Board.

School systems may submit nominations for the 2023-24 Louisiana Models of Excellence through an online portal. To learn more about submitting nominations, please visit the awards library.

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